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I’ve been thinking for the last several months about an experience I had many years ago when I was in a singing group called On Wings of Song.

On Wings of Song at that time was part large choir and part band. We performed primarily in the northeastern United States. We sang songs of peace and unity with a catchy rock beat. I think it is safe to say that most of the members of “the band” as it was called, were somewhat involved in alternative culture. I at least was surprised when our first tour on the East Coast landed us in the courtyard of the Pentagon giving a midday concert. Soup kitchens, prisons and body/mind/spirit conferences – yes. But the Pentagon? That was something new.

Towards the end of our concert at the Pentagon, Rodney, one of our singers, was leading a heartfelt rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine”. As we sang I noticed a 5-star general listening. Suddenly a tear escaped the corner of his eye and trickled down his cheek.

I was very moved by this. After our concert I looked around at the displays in the courtyard. There was one very big one that I noticed. In huge letters across the top it read: “WE BELIEVE IN PEACE”and in smaller letters below it continued: “through strength”.

Something changed inside me at that moment and it has never gone back completely to where it was before. It is something that has been reinforced over and over again these last thirty years through working at the Opening the Heart Workshop. In Jon Berenson’s blog article he calls it “perspective.” That day my perspective changed. That day the general and I were playing on the same team. Yes, some of his methods of creating peace I didn’t like at all. Perhaps he would not have liked some of my methods of trying to accomplish the same.

But when one drops into the heart as he did, others are prompted to do the same, and that is where we find our common ground. In the place of common ground it is easier to work together to move ahead.

When at my best, I am in the place of common ground, moving through the world living the motto of the OTH workshop. That motto is: “Changing the world with love one heart at a time”. Imagine.